ANTENNA WITH INTEGRATED RF MODULE

• US 20090153408A1
• Filed: 12/17/2007
• Published: 06/18/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rochester Gauges LLC
• Original Assignee: Kevin Ladue
• Inventors: Kazanchian, Armen E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,866,696 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 343/702
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/405 Radome integrated radiating elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 23/00 Antennas with active circuits or circuit elements integrated within them or attached to them

Abstract

An antenna assembly includes an antenna housing, an antenna located within the housing, a radio frequency (RF) module located within the housing and connected to the antenna, and a cable assembly operably associated with the module. The module includes a radio frequency device, such as a transmitter, receiver or transceiver, electrically connected to the antenna. The cable assembly includes electrical wires for providing external power to the module and conducting processed signals between the module and external circuitry. The proximal nature of the antenna and RF module reduces or eliminates induced power losses between the antenna and module, resulting in a very effective power transfer ratio. Resulting processed signals between external and internal processing circuitry can be conducted over relatively long lengths without appreciable signal loss.

Claims

1. An antenna assembly comprising:

an antenna housing;

an antenna located within the housing;

a radio frequency module located within the housing and including a radio frequency device selected from the group of transmitters, receivers and transceivers electrically connected to the antenna; and

at least one electrical conductor operably associated with the module for a) providing external power to the module or b) conducting processed signals between the module and external circuitry without significant signal loss.

2. An antenna assembly according to claim 1, wherein the module further comprises a PCB located within the housing with the radio frequency device being mounted on the PCB.

3. An antenna assembly according to claim 2, and further comprising a mounting base connected to the housing for connecting the antenna assembly to an enclosure.

4. An antenna assembly according to claim 3, and further comprising a cable assembly extending through the mounting base, the cable assembly including the at least one electrical conductor.

5. An antenna assembly according to claim 2, wherein the cable assembly comprises a first and second wires connectable to an external power supply.

6. An antenna assembly according to claim 5, wherein the cable assembly comprises a third wire connectable to external circuitry, the third wire being adapted to conduct processed signals between the module and the external circuitry.

7. An antenna assembly according to claim 2, and further comprising a conductive sleeve located in the housing and surrounding the PCB, the conductive sleeve being electrically connected to the PCB to thereby provide a ground plane for the antenna and a shield against outside emissions.

8. An antenna assembly according to claim 7, and further comprising a volume of potting material located within the sleeve and surrounding the PCB.

9. An antenna assembly according to claim 2, and further comprising a microprocessor mounted on the PCB and operably connected to the radio frequency device for processing signals therefrom.

10. A wireless device comprising:

a compartment;

first electronic circuitry located within the compartment;

an antenna assembly connected to the compartment, the antenna assembly comprising;

an antenna housing;

an antenna located within the housing;

second electronic circuitry including a radio frequency module located within the housing and electrically connected to the antenna for transmitting and/or receiving radio signals; and

a cable assembly extending between the first and second electronic circuitry, the cable assembly having first and second wires connectable to a power supply associated with the first electronic circuitry and at least a third wire connected between the first and second electronic circuitry for conducting processed signals therebetween without significant signal loss.

11. A wireless device according to claim 10, wherein the second electronic circuitry comprises a PCB located within the housing and a radio frequency device selected from the group of transmitters, receivers and transceivers electrically connected to the antenna, the radio frequency device being mounted on the PCB.

12. A wireless device according to claim 11, and further comprises a mounting base connected to the housing for connecting the antenna assembly to the enclosure.

13. A wireless device according to claim 12, wherein the cable assembly extends through the mounting base.

14. A wireless device according to claim 11, and further comprising a conductive sleeve located in the housing and surrounding the PCB, the conductive sleeve being electrically connected to the PCB to thereby provide a ground plane for the antenna and a shield against outside emissions.

15. A wireless device according to claim 14, and further comprising a volume of potting material located within the sleeve and surrounding the PCB.

16. A wireless device according to claim 11, and further comprising a microprocessor mounted on the PCB and operably connected to the radio frequency device for processing signals therefrom.

17. An antenna assembly comprising:

an antenna housing;

an elongate antenna located within the housing;

a radio frequency (RF) module located within the housing, the RF module including;

an elongate printed circuit board (PCB), a distal end of the PCB being electrically connected to a proximal end of the antenna; and

a radio frequency device located on the PCB proximal to the antenna and electrically connected thereto to thereby minimize signal loss therebetween;

an elongate conductive sleeve located in the housing and surrounding the PCB, a proximal end of the conductive sleeve being electrically connected to a proximal end of the PCB to thereby provide a ground plane for the antenna; and

a cable assembly having a distal end connected to the proximal end of the PCB and a proximal end for connection to external circuitry, the cable assembly including at least one electrical wire for a) providing external power to the module or b) conducting processed signals between the module and external circuitry without significant signal loss.

18. An antenna assembly according to claim 17, and further comprising a mounting base connected to a proximal end of the antenna housing, the cable assembly extending through the mounting base.

19. An antenna assembly according to claim 17, wherein the cable assembly comprises first and second wires connectable to an external power supply and a third wire connectable to external circuitry for conducting processed signals between the RF module and the external circuitry.

20. An antenna according to claim 17, wherein the radio frequency device is selected from the group of transmitters, receivers and transceivers.